Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Mary Upton

Question:

13 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason asylum seekers who opt out of direct provision arrangements can no longer claim supplementary rent and welfare allowances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17902/03]

Ciarán Cuffe

Question:

14 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the rationale for not continuing to pay rent allowance to asylum seekers and refugees. [17891/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

The Government has decided that the most appropriate way to cater for the accommodation needs of asylum seekers is through the direct provision system operated by the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Arising from this decision, the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003 provided for a change in the conditions for receipt of rent supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The new provision came into effect by way of a commencement order which I signed on 27 May 2003. The change means that asylum seekers and persons who are not lawfully in the State are not entitled to rent supplement in respect of applications made on or after 27 May. Persons in receipt of rent supplement prior to that date are not affected by the change. The direct provision system provides a range of accommodation including "step-down" self-catering units that are on a par with accommodation available in the private rented sector. It would not make sense for the State to spend scarce resources on additional private rented accommodation. I am satisfied that the direct provision system caters for all the essential needs of asylum seekers and that the needs of people who have particular problems or difficulties, for example, problems of a medical or psychological nature, can be adequately addressed within the direct provision system. I should also mention that the swifter processing of asylum applications has resulted in a reduction in the average length of time spent by asylum seekers in the direct provision system.

Recent figures furnished by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner indicate that the number of new asylum applications received this year continues to decline. With regard to persons who are granted refugee status I would like to emphasise that such individuals are not affected by the change in the rent supplement provisions. They continue to be entitled to the same benefits under the social welfare code as Irish citizens.